Statement by Sean Hurley

Today, in Hamilton, transportation infrastructure is much as it has been for three quarters of a century. Roads dominate the landscape and cars dominate the roads.

Back when this infrastructure was being constructed, it likely made some sense as the city organized around manufacturing in the north and a growing, sprawling city all around.

However, the writing on the wall is becoming clearer. Every day has news reports on the impacts of climate change and the consequences of failing to mitigate and adapt.

Meanwhile, throughout North America, demographics are also changing. The migration to the suburbs is slowing and ending and a reverse migration back into cities has begun.

Car sales are slowing as a new generation of young people prefer being connected to being isolated in gridlock. Increasing numbers of new workers want what urban centres offer: walkable, cyclable neighbourhoods, restaurants, entertainment, community centres and activities all within easy reach of an efficient transit system.

This trend is far more likely to intensify than slow down. And one of the drivers of this change will be additional costs, both public and private, of addressing climate change. Whether we care to admit it today, there will in coming years be a price on carbon.

This additional burden will drive up the cost of living including commuting and it will push more people, and their employers, into existing urban centers that offer reliable and efficient public transit. Cities that do not have such transit systems will be playing catchup investing in infrastructure made more costly through the premium added by the price on carbon.

Investing in fast, efficient, and reliable public transit is an investment in the future.

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